HELP-WDW pro to DL in 2 weeks...1ST TIME EVER!

[luisov]

You could skip a WDW clone and make an hour or two to take a look at Carsland. It's worth it. If you're not interested at all, don't miss Indiana Jones, Pirates, Space Mountain, the Fantasyland dark rides, and BTMRR. Matterhorn as well but it's a bit jerky. The rest of the park is pretty much the same as MK.

Fantasmic! is better at DL, but it's not that different. Don't miss the Paint the Night parade and the new fireworks show though.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Night parade and fireworks are tops on our list!!

 

[SMD]

I think you're going to be disappointed leaving Anaheim at 5pm to drive to Hollywood to experience the walk of fame on a Sunday night. You'd be better off doing it on the Friday during the day, then drive down to DLR. Or if you can get down there earlier do DTD on Friday and leave earlier on Sunday.

Also, you still don't seem to understand FP. You can hold 3 at once. The limit is on how often you can collect them and you can't hold 2 different rides for the same window. It works like the paper FPs worked at WDW. If you pull an Indy FP mid-morning and it's a late return time. You could pull a F! and PFF show FP immediately because those 2 are disconnected. After 2 hours you can get an HM FP (if their still using them on that ride, they might not) that will not be too far out. As soon as the window opens for HM you can pull a BTMRR FP and you'd be holding 4-5 FPs for the 3-5 minutes it takes you to walk from BTMRR to HM. If there are still FPs available for anything else you could pull another FP 2 hours from when you pulled the BTMRR (or when the window opened for BTMRR, as it could also be under 2 hours at that point). What you can't do with DLR FP is pre-select your return time. It moves in 5 minute increments as people pull them. So more popular rides run out quicker and will later return times earlier in the day than some other rides.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Sorry- should have written "can't get 3 FP tix like at WDW" and not "hold 3".
Oh how I remember the good old days of running around to get FP tix at WDW. I just didn't remember having to wait so long in between obtaining them. I remember the other limits/rules but was thinking I could go to machines in first 2hours and grab first 3. I will re-evaluate my plans. Thanks for the info!
As far as Fri goes- it will be a driving day down from Yosemite. We hope to arrive by 6pm but could be 7-8. On the evening of the 13th we are staying in downtown LA area (since we will be riding a great train up the coast the next morning), so we don't have to be there at any time but figured we would head there around 5-6pm. Is the walk of fame different on Sun? We might just drive around LA and surrounding areas after we find dinner-don't plan to do walk of fame for hours but thought it might be fun to see some. We will be in LA earlier in the trip - staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt , which I believe is on the walk, so maybe we will want to see somewhere else on the evening of the 13th- ideas???

 

[SMD]

It's different at night, and the areas that are not immediately in front of H&H and the Chinese are not well lit. Plus a some places will close early on Sunday, though I've just realized that the 13th is a Monday, so 90 minutes to Hollywood in rush hour isn't going to happen. You may want to just spend the extra night in Anaheim and take the train to Union Station in the morning. The Roosevelt is right next to the part you want to see. It's pretty far to go from downtown to Hollywood at that point. For your Roosevelt hotel portion, look into what's playing at Disney's El Capitan, which is on the next block. Also, there's a Ghirardelli soda fountain and Disney gift shop next door. You could also check what's playing at the Chinese theater across the street (that actual theater, there's also a regular multiplex in the H&H complex. And check out what will be playing at the Pantages down the street. It's one subway stop. They do rush tickets for most shows.

As for what to do downtown on a Monday night. The Ahmanson and the rest of the Music Center is dark. The Disney Concert Hall is dark. It's the all-star break, so no Dodger game. There's LA Live, they have a movie theater and some restaurants that I wouldn't necessarily call kid friendly. Check the schedules at Staples and Microsoft (formally Nokia theater) for what's happening there.

 

[maltdizzy]

How do I put this..."cesspool" is the word many use to describe most of Hollywood. It's one of the poorest zipcodes in L.A. Downtown L.A. is typically referred to as "skid row." Both these areas are turning around, but gentrification is very slow because there are laws that actively work against it.

In Hollywood, the block(s) near Hollywood and Highland and the Chinese Theater is always busy with tourists. But after a few blocks, it's must counter-culture stores (head shops, stripper boutiques, etc.) with some Hollywood book stores mixed in. Sunday evening, with the suns till up, feel free to wandering and read the names on the Walk. If you aren't city folk, you might not be comfortable heading down Hollywood Blvd as it gets dark; if you are used to big cities, it probably won't phase you.

Not a lot to do in Downtown L.A. for families, most of the new housing is lofts for young professionals and the bars and restaurants that cater to them. Do visit Phillipe's for a french dip, it's two blocks from the train station.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

good tips...and I am glad you reminded me about rush hour!! We don't have that in Vermont
I will plan to leave Anaheim around 7:30pm instead.
We WILL go to Ghirardelli fountain

 

[lisa-upnorth]

How do I put this..."cesspool" is the word many use to describe most of Hollywood. It's one of the poorest zipcodes in L.A. Downtown L.A. is typically referred to as "skid row." Both these areas are turning around, but gentrification is very slow because there are laws that actively work against it.

In Hollywood, the block(s) near Hollywood and Highland and the Chinese Theater is always busy with tourists. But after a few blocks, it's must counter-culture stores (head shops, stripper boutiques, etc.) with some Hollywood book stores mixed in. Sunday evening, with the suns till up, feel free to wandering and read the names on the Walk. If you aren't city folk, you might not be comfortable heading down Hollywood Blvd as it gets dark; if you are used to big cities, it probably won't phase you.

Not a lot to do in Downtown L.A. for families, most of the new housing is lofts for young professionals and the bars and restaurants that cater to them. Do visit Phillipe's for a french dip, it's two blocks from the train station.

haha! Cesspool sounds about right from what I have read! Yeah- we don't plan to be strolling in the dark! Maybe a drive around toward the rich folks in Beverly Hills

 

[SMD]

What time does your train leave on the 14th? There are Metrolink trains from Anaheim to Union Station from 4:30 to 8:30 in the morning and then Amtrak starts running to Union around 8am or 8:30. Why switch hotels to downtown when there's really not much for kids down there when you could stay 2 nights in the same Anaheim hotel. It might be easier. You may be able to return the rental car before you get to Anaheim and save a little there too.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

we have luggage for a 23 day cross-country trek...gotta keep the car (but thanks for the idea anyway)

 

[SMD]

Wouldn't your luggage fit in a cab? Are you doing laundry at any point? You should ship your dirty laundry home. Print a USPS flat rate shipping label before you leave and put the flat rate box flat in suitcase. Why haul it on the return trip if you know there are things you won't need at that point. Heck, I might try to find someone to ship some clean laundry to one of those hotels so I could carry less on the first half of the trip, then ship the dirty stuff home when the clean stuff arrives.

 

[GoBears 1980]

How do I put this..."cesspool" is the word many use to describe most of Hollywood. It's one of the poorest zipcodes in L.A. Downtown L.A. is typically referred to as "skid row." Both these areas are turning around, but gentrification is very slow because there are laws that actively work against it.

In Hollywood, the block(s) near Hollywood and Highland and the Chinese Theater is always busy with tourists. But after a few blocks, it's must counter-culture stores (head shops, stripper boutiques, etc.) with some Hollywood book stores mixed in. Sunday evening, with the suns till up, feel free to wandering and read the names on the Walk. If you aren't city folk, you might not be comfortable heading down Hollywood Blvd as it gets dark; if you are used to big cities, it probably won't phase you.

Not a lot to do in Downtown L.A. for families, most of the new housing is lofts for young professionals and the bars and restaurants that cater to them. Do visit Phillipe's for a french dip, it's two blocks from the train station.

Okay, seriously.... have you been to Downtown LA or Hollywood in the last 20 years? DTLA is referred to as "skid row"? In what parallel universe? DTLA is the hottest neighborhood in LA right now. In no way is Hollywood one of the "poorest" neighborhoods in LA, not even close. Have you ever tried to rent an apartment or buy a house in 90028? The MEDIAN price of a house or condo is $645,000. A one bedroom apartment goes for around $1,900 a month.

There is also a lot in DTLA for families to do, especially when you include the USC/Expo Park area.

 

[GoBears 1980]

we have luggage for a 23 day cross-country trek...gotta keep the car (but thanks for the idea anyway)

I would not pack clothes for 23 days. Pack clothes for no more than a week at a time and either do laundry (a lot of hotels have guest laundry) or find a Fluff n Fold where they do laundry by the pound, usually around $1.50 to $1.75 per pound. Life will be a lot simpler with one suitcase than bunches.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

shipping would be VERY expensive-and we don't mind wheeling it home.We will need our stuff for the return to east coast. We will do laundry BUT trip includes many days of activities that require many items.Our trip home from LA-VT takes 5 days-we will need clothing,toiletries,computers,cameras.Shipping from LA to VT is not worth it.We would still need most of our bags.We take to large LLBean rolling duffles and then each have a carry on tote.I will also have 3 cameras and 2 ipads in a bag for the trip as well.We will want to keep the car and our bags.

 

[CT Disney]

So-I have been reading up and looking at the map! We have NEVER left the east coast-but now after dozens of trips to WDW we will finally be going to DL!!!!
We will be on our 'bucket list' tour to the west by train! Trip is 23 days and 18 states. We will arrive at Fairfield Inn around 6pm July 11th and head to parks on July 12th only.July 13th we have until about 5pm to enjoy downtown area.
Head to park-to be at gate for 7:40AM! PLease evaluate my plan and give imput teach me oh wise ones!

PLAN-

• enter park and head up to railroad station to try to ride Lilly Belle car on train! Recent poster said train ran once or twice a day,for 14 people each time.Times were 11:45 and 1:45 I believe.We are huge trains fans and this would be great!You have to get name on a list to ride later
  
• Head to Space Mtn-little one is 10 and this will be her 1st time riding.She was all set to ride last year in WDW and ride went down
• head back to Main St and continue to Adventureland.
• get FP for Jungle and Indy
• go and ride Haunted and Pirates
• then head to fantasyland! ***how should we walk that??
• try to ride Peter Pan,Mr Toad,Snow,Alice(not teacup-barf!) AND Small World!!
• probably time to go back to space mtn for FP now??? if not try for Dumbo
• after 1st FP is used try to get one for Nemo subs or Autopia-which one??
• THEN BE LAZY AND ENJOY FOR AWHILE-walk thru castle,take a million pics,take it all in!
• ride monorail roundtrip!!
  
• get lunch at a counter service (we always have dining plan and eat a ton at WDW but this trip we want an open eating plan) best counter food??? we plan to graze all day
• probably will get times to ride Jungle and Indy FP by now.
• ride People Mover
• leave park from 2-5 to swim and be lazy slugs!
• return around 5:30 ***what to hit now???
• Find parade/firework spot around 7:30pm...want to see some of Main St projections and castle so maybe near entrance to the wheel hub from Main ***other ideas??
• we LOVE the castle show and fireworks at WDW and are ready to be dazzled!!PLan to be in our spot until fireworks end
• We will stay in park until closing at midnight so now we are open to look for characters and rides we missed.
• we plan to skip the WDW rides we have been on many times like Splash and Big Thunder-unless line is about 20min then we might hop on BUT really want to use time to enjoy DL only things.
• is the Fantasmic that different? worth catching the later show???

THANK YOU for any insight you can offer
***************oh, did I mention it will be my 45th birthday and I will NEED to find a pin for that! and for our 1st visit!

I don't have anything to suggest, but just wanted to say HI!

We are WDW vets visiting DL for the first time too...same dates as you! We are also from New England!

We arrive late afternoon on Saturday, July 11 and check out on Thursday, July 16th. We're staying at GCH. We will be in the parks on Monday, the 13th through Wednesday, the 15th. I'm following your thread closely! Safe travels and see you there!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I would not pack clothes for 23 days. Pack clothes for no more than a week at a time and either do laundry (a lot of hotels have guest laundry) or find a Fluff n Fold where they do laundry by the pound, usually around $1.50 to $1.75 per pound. Life will be a lot simpler with one suitcase than bunches.

oh- we aren't bringing 23 days of outfits but it adds up fast for 4 people and a long trip!
We each have 3 shorts,5 tops, 1 long pant for train,swimsuits,hiking books for Grand Canyon,sandals,undies, a bunch of socks,one dress each(ya never know!).Also add in the laundry soap pods and that fills one bag and a little more in the 2nd one.I am a tight packer but it is still 2 large bags...sunscreens,meds,toiletries,wipes,food/snacks, and of course great books!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

OHHHHH....and we always do themed outfits just for Disney!!!!! Yup-we are THOSE people!

 

[maltdizzy]

Okay, seriously.... have you been to Downtown LA or Hollywood in the last 20 years?

Yes, I have. I am a Trojan. I have owned and raised a family in the Jefferson Park area.

Real-estate prices do not off-set the boots-on-the-ground experience.

Please feel free to name what you would recommend *at night* for a family in the DTLA area? Seven Grand Whiskey Bar? Conga Room? Coles? DTLA is becoming a playground for the young professional...not the family. Still, feel free to walk down Broadway at night.

If it were a day they were trying to kill, Expo Park was top of my head, I have memberships to both the Science Museum and Natural History Museum. Hollywood...big fan of the Arclight/Amoeba area and their farmers market. And there is plenty to look at walking around the tourist block during the day, but beyond Musso and Frank, there's nothing on Hollywood Blvd.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I don't have anything to suggest, but just wanted to say HI!

We are WDW vets visiting DL for the first time too...same dates as you! We are also from New England!

We arrive late afternoon on Saturday, July 11 and check out on Thursday, July 16th. We're staying at GCH. We will be in the parks on Monday, the 13th through Wednesday, the 15th. I'm following your thread closely! Safe travels and see you there!

Greetings 'neighbor'
Have you ever left the East coast before?? We are giddy excited!! At 45 I was almost giving up hope my dream trip would ever happen! Have a blast! I will warn them that the NE families have arrived!!

 

[lisa-upnorth]